Pre-budget bonanza: 100 new trains soon!

"The focus of the Rail Budget this year is on providing more amenities to passengers. Attempts have been made to cater to the demands of all regions including Northeast as there were representations for new trains from various states," sources in Railway Ministry said.

While services of some express trains have been extended, frequency of certain popular trains have also been increased keeping the demand of people's representatives in mind.

Pre-budget bonanza: 100 new trains soon!

"About 100 new trains will be announced in the budget," the sources said.

Last year, Railways had announced launching of 175 trains including passenger services.

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in trains and stations, providing quality linen, upgradation of fire-fighting arrangements and new facilities for differently abled persons are some of the measures likely to be announced by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in his maiden budget speech on February 26.

Pre-budget bonanza: 100 new trains soon!

New measures for fire suppression system in AC coaches and pantry cars, which are more fire prone, are likely to be announced in the Railway Budget.

Cash-strapped railways, which has sought Rs 38,000 crore (Rs 380 billion) as general budgetary support from the Finance Ministry, is likely to get about Rs 28,000 crore (Rs 280 billion) for the next fiscal.